According to my math that's 15. Hollinger said the Nets have 14 players, I don't know who he thinks won't be back. The guys who are possibilities for not returning are:

Hassell- Player Option- There's no way he's making close to $4.35 million in this market elsewhere, he's staying. Hayes- Team Option- Most likely to be gone. He's scheduled to make $2 million next season. I'm not sure if this option is still available though. I think he'll be back. Sean Williams- Team Option. This goes off what I read during the season. There's a morality clause in his contract that allows the Nets to cut him due to off-court events like throwing a cash register.

From a competitive stand point, this team is awful as is. A rookie, a couple of sophomores, a third year guy in Yi and then Harris will comprise the Nets starting lineup. Just sad. Granted their all young and have a lot of potential, but they won't win many games next season. Another sad aspect is that their starting roster's salary will make $16 million, $7.7 of which comes from Devin Harris. Meanwhile, Bobby Simmons and Tony Battie will make the same amount. Just awful.

In total, the Nets' salary will be around $55 million, which is below their $62 million salary total from last season, 4th lowest in the league. While many teams will also be lower this year compared to last season, I can't imagine the Nets not being in the top five for lowest team salary. Shows how much they want to invest in their fans.

Anyway, here are the Nets' expiring contracts:

Bobby Simmons- $10.56 million Tony Battie- $6.2 million Rafer Alston- $5.25 million Trenton Hassell- $4.35 million Jarvis Hayes- $2.06 million Josh Boone- $2.06 million Sean Williams- $1.63 million- unless he magically learns how to play basketball and the Nets pick up their team option CDR-$.74 million

That's eight players and close to $33 million off the books, plenty of money to throw at potential free agents. I do think the Nets will make a trade or two during the season, probably involving Alston and maybe Bobby Simmons who will probably play well this season like he did last time he was in a contract year. I can definitely see the Nets buying out Battie, possibly Simmons, Alston, and Hassell.

So like I said earlier, I don't know if the Nets can do anything at this point because their roster is literally full. I think sign-and-trades involving Carlos Boozer or Shawn Marion are out the window because the Nets now don't have anything of value to give back. So unless I find out that either Sean Williams (I pray every night that he gets traded or released), Jarvis Hayes, or Trenton Hassell(him too) are gone, I'm going to say that, there is no next phase and I made this post mainly to vent my frustrations and to look at next year's team.

If the Nets did have an empty roster spot, I would look at Jamario Moon, Flip Murray, Luther Head, Kareem Rush, and Matt Barnes. All of those guys would be relatively cheap, and could play multiple positions. I don't think the Nets could spend more than $2 million anyway, so we can't expect much else out of them.

Off-Season

The Nets need a PF badly. Drew Gooden is out there. He can score and rebound and to a lesser extent Chris Wilcox who can do the dirty work down low.

Since: Apr 16, 2008

Posted on: July 8, 2009 9:53 am

Off-Season

The Nets have Terrence Williams signed, now giving them a 15 man roster. I've read that they're interested in adding a value guy like Jamario Moon, Hakim Warrick, or Chris Wilcox, but wouldn't that mean someone must go? I hope it's Trenton Hassell at this point because they already have Hayes, T-Will, and Bobby Simmons who all deserve playing time over Hassell at SF. I doubt he has trading value though because expiring contracts are what they used to be due to the economy and the Nets wanting to not take on any long term contracts.

Since: Apr 16, 2008

Posted on: July 1, 2009 1:06 am

Off-Season

So the Nets brought back Hayes for $2.06 million, and rightfully so. He made the best out of his playing time, and he fits well in their pick and roll offense. He's also very cheap considering that they're paying Bobby Simmons 5x more and Trenton Hassell 2x more. So unless they trade someone or release Sean Williams thanks to his morality clause, the roster is set.

Since: Nov 3, 2006

Posted on: June 27, 2009 6:56 pm

Off-Season

Looks like a major re-structure is going to take for the NETS to do anything. I would say start with the coach and then move to Boone, Simmons and Battie somewhere that needs major front-court players just to play a few minutes. Trent Hassell...somebody has to play defense besides T-Will. Alston made his money..I hope coming to NJ will keep him focused. T-Will and Harris will have top 10 highlights on the reg. Should they make a move on Ilgauskus since Shaq moved in??

Since: Feb 3, 2008

Posted on: June 26, 2009 7:08 pm

Off-Season

I like the Nets core... but it's very obvious we are in a rebuilding mode and will be for at least 3 years... I hope the team makes a run at Lebron next year!

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